SOCIAL AWARENESS EXHIBITION

The OPAL Social Awareness Exhibition strives to harness the transformative power of art to promote awareness, provoke dialogue, and inspire action.

As a community resource art center, ALL artists are invited to represent themselves, their communities and their culture. OPAL hopes that social justice can be accomplished in coming together through art, in understanding and acceptance.

● This is an Open Call for everyone.

FOR THE CALL: OPAL (Oak Park Art League) encourages and welcomes emerging and established BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists to apply to our Social Awareness exhibition. OPAL strongly believes that art is essential to social awareness and justice, and as an organization we strive to offer an inclusive space for all to gather, discuss, and enjoy the art on display. As a commitment to equity, inclusivity, and in an effort to introduce OPAL’s programming to more artists, OPAL is reducing the submission fee by 50% for this exhibition for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists, in an effort to reduce barriers to application and participation.

MEMBERSHIP OFFER: OPAL (Oak Park Art League) is committed to increasing the diversity of our organization by offering to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists, a 50% membership discount, (for a limited time only during this Open Call and Exhibition). OPAL strongly believes in the power of art to create space for dialogue, learning, and growth. As an organization, it is our mission to be a welcoming center of artistic inquiry, creative expression, and art appreciation in Oak Park and the surrounding communities. We believe that through this initiative, OPAL will be able to expand access to the dynamic public art programming and exhibitions OPAL currently offers. The history, and future, of art does not exist without these voices, and we welcome them at OPAL.

*BIPOC ( Black, Indigenous, People of Color )
*LGBTQ+ ( represents a vast and inclusive spectrum encompassing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer)

● The artwork you submit will be included if it meets the Call criteria.

● 42” at its widest dimension (framing included) and not exhibited at OPAL before.

● Deliver your work on the drop-off dates below.
All media/mediums accepted (except for video for this exhibition).

● ARTWORK IS LIMITED IN SIZE TO (42”) IN THE LARGEST DIMENSION (including frame).

● Sculpture work (freestanding) can be up to 72” high but must be no more than 36” wide in the round.

● All work MUST be ready to hang!!!
(ABSOLUTELY NO SAWTOOTH OR STRING HANGERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!)

Important dates:

• Drop-off work: JUL 28 (1-5pm), 29 (1-4pm), 31 (1-5pm)

• Exhibition dates: AUG 3 - AUG 25

• Opening reception:  AUG 4, 6:00pm - 8:30pm

• Pick up work: AUG 26 (1-4pm), 28 (1-5pm), 29 (1-5pm)
  
  Submission fee:
  
  Art Member -   * 1st work @ $25      * 2nd work @ $15 * 3rd work @ $10
  Art Supporter/Art Friend -   * 1st work @ $30      * 2nd work @ $20